Should God be restricted to Masjid and Hearts?

Introduction

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Islam versus Secularism by Sara Sultana

Islam

Secularism
Religion is the personal matter of everyone and not a socially shared notion.

Religion guides personal, family, social and political life.

8/5/2013

Islam versus Secularism by Sara Sultana

Law Maker

In Islam

God is law maker Divine law (Islamic Sharia) is the commandment for worldly matters
It is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should [thereafter] have any choice about their affair. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly strayed into clear error. (Surah Ahzab: Ayat 36)

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Islam versus Secularism by Sara Sultana

Law Maker

In Secularism

By the people for the people Worldly matters are decided through
Personal wishes Individual and group understanding Consensus of people

8/5/2013

Islam versus Secularism by Sara Sultana

Personal-Life Choices

Making Friends and Earning

8/5/2013

Islam versus Secularism by Sara Sultana

Clarifying Islamic Limits

Limits of:
Halal Haram Makrooh Recommended Permissible

Decisions regarding profession, education, marriage, business, eating, socializing, making friends etc. should be guided by Islamic law
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Clarifying Islamic Limits

Example Making Friends [1]

Lower Limit:
Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly (Surat AlMumtaana: Ayat 8)

8/5/2013

Islam versus Secularism by Sara Sultana

Clarifying Islamic Limits

Example Making Friends [1]

Upper Limit
O you who believe! do not make friends with a people with whom Allah is wroth; indeed they despair of the hereafter as the unbelievers despair of those in tombs. (Surat AlMumtaana: Ayat 13)

8/5/2013

Islam versus Secularism by Sara Sultana

Clarifying Islamic Limits

Example Earning [1]

Lower Limit
Allah does not forbid us from joining particular professions but He guides which attributes should be sought and which should be avoided Enter this city and eat from it wherever you will in [ease and] abundance, and enter the gate bowing humbly and say, 'Relieve us of our burdens. (Surat Al-Baqarah: Ayat 58) O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and good and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy. (Surat Al-Baqarah: Ayat 168)
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Clarifying Islamic Limits

Example Earning [2]

Upper limit
Allah has permitted trade and has forbidden interest. So whoever has received an admonition from his Lord and desists may have what is past, and his affair rests with Allah . But whoever returns to [dealing in interest or usury] - those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide eternally therein. (Surat Al-Baqarah: Ayat 275)

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Islam versus Secularism by Sara Sultana

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Political Ideologies

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Islam versus Secularism by Sara Sultana

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Political Ideologies

Islamic Muslim
Believe in Allah
Implement divine rules

Secular Muslim
Believe in Allah
Rules are set by people as they need, like, understand and judge

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Political Ideologies

Islamic Muslim
Allah is all powerful and authoritative and no ONE is equal to Him
He laid down rules Halal and Haram are decided by Allah

Secular Muslim
There is no ONE who can equate Allah But MANY (people) together can decide what is permissible and what is not

Hijab, Salah and Mosques are Islamic identity as long as people approve Wine, Adultery, Homosexuality is Haram as long as people dis-approve them
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Islam versus Secularism by Sara Sultana

My way is Gods Way

(We take our) color from Allah, and who is better than Allah at coloring. We are His worshippers. (Surat Al-Baqarah: Ayat 138)

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